First mine warfare mothership for the Netherlands begins sea trials

The Vlissingen, the secondly of the collection of mine war motherships of the Belgian-Dutch rMCM program, initially meant for the Royal Netherlands Navy, started her very first sea tests project from Concarneau, France, on March 27th 2025. The objective is to execute and examine mixed-up the vessel’s efficiency prior to its shipment at the end of 2025. The rMCM program is being led by Belgium Naval & Robotics, a consortium developed by Naval Team and Exail, including Kership (a joint endeavor in between Piriou and Naval Team) as commercial prime professional.

Naval Team news release

Throughout this very first day mixed-up, the ship’s efficiency has actually been tested, specifically her propulsion system and manoeuvrability. A number of sea tests projects will certainly after that comply with to examine all the systems, prior to her shipment at the end of 2025.

8 ships unfinished

The very first vessel, Oostende, meant for the Belgian Navy is presently going through tests of her fight system in Naval Team Lorient shipyard. It will certainly be supplied throughout the summer season 2025. The very first sea tests of the Tournai, 3rd vessel of the program and 2nd device meant for the Belgian Navy, are prepared for completion of the summer season 2025. The 4th vessel, the Scheveningen, 2nd vessel meant for the Royal Netherlands Navy, was introduced on November 2024. All twelve vessels purchased in the framework of the rMCM program will certainly be supplied prior to end of 2030.

An one-of-a-kind commercial and European collaboration

Granted in 2019 to Belgium Naval & Robotics, the consortium developed by Naval Team and Exail, the rMCM program is a significant element of european protection participation. Naval Team is in charge of ship style, general goal systems combination, screening and appointing. The ships are developed and set up by Kership and Chantier Piriou, under the general commercial administration of Kership, a joint endeavor in between Naval Team and Piriou. Exail supervises of the drones goal system. The majority of these drones will certainly be generated and preserved in Exail Belgium subsidiary based in Ostend.

A resistant vessel and a newest generation tool kit

These specialist and cyber safeguarded deliberately mine countermeasures (MCM) vessels are the very first to have the ability to get started and introduce a mix of surface area drones (themselves 12-metre, 19- tonne vessels), undersea drones and airborne drones. The mine countermeasures vessels will certainly utilize a generally self-governing system for discovery, category, recognition and neutralisation of mines This technique with an unmanned incorporated system allows secure and fast clearance of extracted locations– approximately 10 times faster than standard approaches.

The MCM vessels can hold up against undersea surges and have really reduced acoustic, electric and magnetic trademarks, according to the goals to be accomplished.

These mine countermeasure vessels have the adhering to qualities:

• Size: 82,6 m
• Size: 17m
• Variation: 2800t
• Optimum rate: 15,3 knots
• Variety: > 3500 maritime miles
• Staff: 63 individuals (base team 33 individuals)
• Drone capacities: Exail UMISOFT Software application collection, 2 unmanned surface area lorries (Exail Examiner 125), 3 self-governing undersea lorries (A-18 outfitted with Exail UMISAS 120 finder), 2 pulled finders (T-18 outfitted with Exail UMISAS 240 finder), 2 Mine Recognition & Disposal Solutions (MIDS) systems (Exail Seascan and K-Ster C), 2 unmanned airborne vessels ( Skeldar’s V200), 1 Exail impact mine sweeping system incorporating 5 CTM magnetic components et 1 PATRIA acoustic component.
• Departure ability: 2 SOLAS stiff hull blow up watercrafts of 7m.
• Handling: 2 side launch & healing systems for surface area drones or commando watercrafts, a 15t specialized back crane and a 3t expenses crane

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